25 Years of Defected Records: Beatport's Tribute to a Renowned House Music Institution
We run down some of the biggest hits from one of house music's greatest-ever labels.
In the pantheon of all-time great house music labels, Defected Records can rightly claim to be one of the most definitive. Just like forebears including the raw Chicago sounds of Trax and the swinging New York grooves of Strictly Rhythm, Defected releases have always had a unique signature - soulful, vocal and uplifting records whether deeper or more tech-edged. They're often 'proper songs' too. Rather than bare-bones tools and here-today, gone-tomorrow tools, Defected works with artists who can play meaningful melodies, write indelible hooks and arrange moving grooves.
And it has been that way since the start back in 1999 when the label's first-ever release was Soulsearcher's glorious "Can't Get Enough". It reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and set in motion 25 years of crossover success. The first year or so alone gave rise to enduring favourites like Roger Sanchez's "Another Chance", Masters at Work's "To Be in Love" and the late Paul Johnson's 'Get Get Down' while Kings of Tomorrow's ever-green anthem "Finally" followed soon after.
It was industry A&R man Simon Dunmore who launched Defected Records, and he remained in charge until September 2022 when Managing Director Wez Saunders acquired the label and became the group's CEO. In that same year, Defected broke plenty of its own previous records with over 2.4 billion global streams, more than 600,000 tickets sold and over 300 events while its online community stretched to over 10 million, all of which proved how successfully the label responded to the rise of the digital age and the move from record sales to online streams as the new millennium dawned.
And we'd like to think that Beatport helped make that possible having worked with the label almost since the moment we launched in 2004. Despite the newness of digital music back then, Defected were quick to recognise the importance of a reliable music download partner and soon signed up to sell their tunes through the online store. It's proven hugely fruitful and Defected has often been one of Beatport's top-selling labels, whether with their singles or seminal In the House and House Masters mix series.
Evolution will always be key to surviving in the ferociously fast-paced world of electronic music and that is something Defected has done better than most. During the pandemic, for example, it was the first big brand to properly invest in online streaming and virtual parties, not just to keep artists in work, but to keep house lovers happy. Like their real-world events and festivals everywhere from Bali to Brisbane, Ibiza to Thailand, the streams looked as fabulous as they sounded with colourful dancers, drag performers and impressive green screen visuals all elevating the experience.
"Defected Records represents community and authenticity," Saunders tells us. "It's a reminder of the power of music to bring people together, to transcend cultural barriers and create lasting memories." Sister label and party brand Glitterbox, which is 10 this year, is a further testament to Defected's commitment to diversity as well as "to preserving the essence of house music while continually pushing its boundaries.
Defected hits continue to come at an impressive rate and include US and UK chart toppers such as Endor's "Pump It Up" and CamelPhat's breakout smash "Cola", but the label doesn't go chasing them. These days they are just as keen to platform a brand new talent which, says Saunders, helps them tap into next-gen fans and "is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of Defected," as well as work with founding pioneers. In fact, quite often they do both at the same time having long since mastered the art of reigniting a house classic with a tasteful new school remix, plenty of which are included in this list of standout Defected releases. "By supporting the pioneers, we help preserve the origins and authenticity of the genre," says Saunders.
Defected has always understood how important it is to invest properly in the artists it believes in. Sam Divine, for example, first worked with the brand some 20-odd years ago handing out flyers in Ibiza, but this season is the face of their biggest-ever residency at Ushuaia. So too does the label protect house heritage by working with the originators. And not just in terms of events and records, but also with the Faith Fanzine it helped relaunch to "provide opportunities for new generations to learn about the history and evolution of house music and ensure its roots, rich history and the cultural and social movements of the 1980s and 1990s are not forgotten."
Saunders explains that "a standout combination of values and ideas" permeates every aspect of the Defected operation, from music production to events and festivals to "the genuine relationships" that they build and maintain with artists, fans, and collaborators. "We actively engage to create a strong, connected, diverse and incisive community so we can foster a global family of house music lovers."
A quarter of a century in, Saunders is taking stock of recent growth and celebrating the past 25 years but knows his work is not done. "It’s important to stay relevant," he says, "so now is the time to evolve once more."
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To celebrate this pivotal dance music institution's massive 25-year milestone, Beatport looks back on 20 of Defected's best-selling and most essential tracks released between 2006 and 2023. Check out the list below!
Copyright - He Is [April 2006]
Copyright defined much of the early '00s house sound but with "He Is," they harked back to their US garage roots. Rolling drums and funky bass are the smooth foundation for Song Williamson, who delivers a churchy, worship-inspired vocal that takes things to another level.
Fish Go Deep, Tracey K - The Cure & The Cause [October 2006]
This flawless slice of deep house with its delayed synth stabs and splashy hi-hats was an immediate club favourite upon release in 2005. But when Defected re-released it a year later, it shot into the Top 25 of both the UK indie and dance charts.
Pete Doyle, The Rock Solid All-Stars - What God Has Chosen [April 2007]
This taught house cut taps into first-wave classics by Fingers Inc, Joe Smooth and CeCe Rodgers with its thoughtful spoken world monologue musing on love, truth and positivity in a way that cannot fail to inspire. The Jimpster remixes it came with add even deeper vibes.
Shapeshifters - Chime [July 2008]
Reworking a tune as seminal as Orbital's "Chime" would be daunting to anyone but soulful house experts Shapeshifters, who have been closely tied to Defected since forever. But their sympathetic deployment of the iconic original synth stabs over a more warm and elastic beat and spoken word snippets about the importance of house music was perfection.
Sandy Rivera, Andy Daniell - Whatever [June 2009]
It's impossible to talk Defected without taking Sandy Rivera. The two have long been synonymous, and his and Andy Daniell's vocal take-down of sub-genre prejudices in "Whatever" is a perfect summary of how the label has always operated with utter disregard for prevailing trends.
Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey (Remixes) [May 2010]
It's unlikely US house mainstay Dennis Ferrer will ever have a hit as big as this again. It was 2010's standout Winter Music Conference classic that got a second lease of life thanks to some on-point Defected remixes by, amongst others, Crookers, who made it into heavy, steamy house throbber.
4Th Measure Men - 4 You [March 2011]
Another case of Defected joining the dots between the roots and the next-gen, it was 2000 and One they enlisted to tackle 4Th Measure Men's garage-house classic. In response, the Dutchman perfectly defined the loopy tech house sound that went on to dominate the early 2010s.
Candi Staton - Hallelujah Anyway [August 2012]
Defected's sound has always prized serious soul and musicality over sweaty functionality so it's no wonder they worked with '70s icon Candi Staton. Her "Hallelujah Anyway" is peerless, timeless vocal house with a spine-tingling top line from Staton and some deeper-than-deep remixes from Director's Cut aka scene OGs Frankie Knuckles and Eric Kupper.
FCL - It's You (MK Remix) [January 2013]
Detroit's MK single-handedly pioneered the dub house sound in the 90s and was still finding freshness in it when he served up this remix in 2013. It took the sharp edges off the tech leaning original by FCL and showed that less can very much be more in the right circumstances. A subtle gem that shows Defected aren't afraid of going super deep.
GotSome - Just A Feeling [April 2015]
GotSome was one of 2014's most quick-to-break-out acts. Their more bass driven sound found favour with DJs and dancers alike which is why Defected were quick to champion them with this impossibly infectious single, plunging bass notes and dirtier than usual synth motifs.
DJ Deeon - Freak Like Me (DJ Deeon vs Lee Walker Remix) [March 2016]
For proof that Defected never shies away from the foundations, look no further than Lee Walker's remix of the late great Chicago legend and ghetto house innovator DJ Deeon. His brilliant "Freak Like Me" was flipped into a naughty garage pumper that united DJs across the spectrum, including Marco Carola, who broke it at the Music On closing party in Ibiza the previous summer.
CamelPhat, Elderbrook - Cola [June 2017]
House music so catchy it topped Beatport's chart, and Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart in the US, and was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 2018 Grammy Awards. CamelPhat have been global stars ever since.
Blaze - Lovelee Dae (Amine Edge & DANCE Remix) [September 2017]
This is another bona-fide house anthem given a sympathetic remix by then-new and red-hot French pair Amine Edge & DANCE. The added punch to the low ends and retention of the original's crystalline vocal was enough to make this one a club classic all over again.
Robosonic, Ferreck Dawn - In Arms [April 2018]
Defected residents Low Steppa, Sam Divine and Franky Rizardo all hammered the lush vocal harmonies and thumping low ends of this one so much during an early label tour to Australia that they made it hit even before it was released. It went on to be a smash all summer long.
Pete Heller - Big Love (David Penn Extended Remix) [January 2019]
Pete Heller's original '90s house anthem was the result of idle messing with his Akai sampler. 20 years later, Spaniard David Penn brought it back into focus with a modernised update that tweaked the drums but let the glorious pianos and vocals roll free. Sublime.
Louie Vega, The Martinez Brothers - Let It Go feat. Marc E. Bassy (Vintage Culture Extended Remix) [January 2021]
"'Let It Go' is one of my all-time favourites," says Brazilian Vintage Culture, who went to new levels of international renown once he signed with Defected. "So during the lockdown in 2020, I produced a remix that was released in January 2021 and was a fantastic way to kick off the new year. It gave me a sense of hope for better times ahead and remains a staple in my set list this year, so it’s an honour to be part of the legacy of this classic track."
John Summit - La Danza (Extended Mix) [March 2022]
Defected has always been quick to spot a star in the making and that's what happened when they snapped up Chicago's John Summit and helped him go to the next level in double quick time, not least in part thanks to the Latin-tinged tribal thud of summer sizzler "La Danza."
Sonny Fodera, SHELLS, Vintage Culture - Nightjar (Extended Mix) [January 2021]
When you put new school tastemakers and platinum-selling producers Vintage Culture and Sonny Fodera together on one record and get SHELLS to add a sultry vocal to the smooth, elastic grooves, you're always going to get a hit record, and so it proved.
Larse - A Part Of (Riva Starr Extended Saturn Mix) [March 2023]
Riva Starr has been a Defected mainstay for years and has even made a hallowed entry into the House Masters series. He proved once again that he was befitting of that title with this luxuriant, string-laced and retro-soul-drenched remix.
Nic Fanciulli, Butch - I Want You [May 2023]
Butch and Nic Fanciulli are towering tech house titans who showed a different side here. Their looping of melodic elements from Leon Ware's 'I Want You' and Marvin Gaye's vocals perfectly intertwined with rich percussion and warm grooves to bring blissed-out summer feels, even in the depths of winter.